Two-piece hinge plates for folding closure structures



May 19, 1964 D. s. HARRIS 3,133,589

TWO-PIECE HINGE PLATES FOR FOLDING CLOSURE STRUCTURES Filed March 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN'EOR.

DONALD S. HARRIS ATTY'S.

y 1964 D. s. HARRIS 3,133,589

TWO-PIECE HINGE PLATES FOR FOLDING CLOSURE STRUCTURES Filed March 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

DONALD S. HARRIS ATTY S.

May 19, 1964 D. s. HARRIS 3,133,589

TWO-PIECE HINGE PLATES FOR FOLDING CLOSURE STRUCTURES Filed March 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 a S? 39 5 32. v m

INVENTOR. 4-l DONALD $.HARRlS ma MW ATTY'S.

United States Patent 3,133,589 TWO-PIECE HINGE PLATES FOR FOLDING CLOSURE STRUCTURES Donald S. Harris, New Castle, Ind., assignor to New Castle Products, Inc, New Castle, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Mar. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 130,470 Claims. (21. 160-84) This invention is directed to new and improved hinge plate designs for use in lazytongs units particularly adapted for incorporation in foldable closure or door structures. More specifically, the invention is directed to hinge plates formed from identical hinge plate halfsections which include new and improved attachment features imparting added strength and rigidity to the hinge plate while additionally accommodating uniform production and uncomplicated assembly.

In the foldable closure industry efforts have been made to increase the ruggedness and strength of hinge plates used in the lazytongs series constituting the basic components of the foldable frame structure. Prior to my earlier Patent No. 2,860,698, it was the standard practice in the industry to form criss-crossing hinge plate units from two elongated plates stacked relative to one another at their point of intersecting hinge pin connection. The basic strength, such as the resistance against bending and the like, of each hinge plate was often limited by the width of the center portion thereof defining the center hinge pin connection. This center portion was normally designed with a reduced width providing in general a central narrow neck.

The uses of foldable closures have been materially expanded within recent years and such closures must now meet materially increased requirements in connection with insulation and sound-proofing. Additional layers of covering materials even including sound-proofing rigid panels have been added to the frame structures thus materially increasing the over-all weight of the same and the strength requirements of the basic supporting hinge series. 7

One answer to the problem is, of course, that of increasing the size and strength of the hinge plates without changing the basic design thereof. My aforementioned patent deals with the forming of each complete hinge plate from a pair of identical hinge plate sections which are arranged for mechanical interconnection in the immediate area of hinge pin connection. While this basic design consideration materially aids in reducing manufacturing cost by permitting mass production of hinge plate sections of identical design, improvement is still desirable with regard to imparting added strength and rigidity characteristics to the hinge plates without materially increasing their size or the amount of material used in forming the same. The present invention deals with the improvement of the strength and rigidity of hinge plates formed from identical half-sections and, in this respect, constitutes an improvement over my earlier designs.

It is an object of the invention to provide new and improved foldable closures involving the use of lazytongs series of new and improved interconnected hinge plates, these plates being formed from identical half-sections of new and improved design which are attached to one another in a specified manner whereby increased strength and rigidity results.

A further object is to provide a new and improved hinge plate half-section which is formed with a unique attachment arrangement which upon combination with a similar hinge plate half-section provides improved strength and rigidity characteristics without attendant increase in hinge plate size.

Still a further object is to provide a new and improved Ice hinge plate design capable of ready manufacture and efficient utilization in folding closure structures.

Other objects not specifically set forth will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective of a portion of a lazytongs series in a foldable closure frame illustrating use of one form of the hinge plate design of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective of a pair of hinge plate half-sections prior to interconnection and shown in association with a conventional hinge pin;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of an assembled hinge plate unit;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of one of the hinge plates used in the unit of FIG. 3

FIG. 5 is a plan View of the hinge plate of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of a modified form of hinge plate half-section;

FIG. 7 is an elevation of a pair of hinge plate halfsections of FIG. 6 interconnected to form a complete hinge plate; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the attachment portion of the hinge plate of FIG. 7 taken generally along line 88 therein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical frame structure for a foldable closure including a plurality of vertically spaced, longitudinally extending lazytongs series, only the uppermost series being partially shown. Each lazytongs series is formed from a plurality of hingedly interconnected hinge plates, either full hinge plates or half hinge plates. In accordance with the present invention, each full hinge plate is formed from identical interconnected hinge plate half-sections 10, the individual half-sections also being capable of functioning as half hinge plates 11 for pivotal attachment to a lead post 12 of the frame. The half plates 11 are suitably attached by a hinge pin 13 to the rear of the lead post 12 which along the front face thereof may carry any suitable sealing means such as a gasket 14. The lead post has attached thereto a trolley unit 15 received in a conventional overhead track 16 by means of which the foldable closure is supported for expansible and collapsible operation. The half plates 11 are attached by elongated pintles 17 which extend to the remaining lazytongs series for hinged attachment of corresponding hinge plates therein thus providing for interconnection of the vertically spaced lazytongs series for unity of operation in the door structure. The pintles 17 interconnect a plurality of criss-cross hinge plate units of the type shown in FIG. 3 and these units, combined with the half plates 11 at opposite ends of the lazytongs series, complete the basic elements of the frame structure. Any number of trolley units 15 may be used to support the frame structure throughout its length, additional trolley units being suitably attached to the hinge pin connection of the full hinge plate unit.

FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 illustrate the preferred form of full hinge plate of the present invention which is used in duplicate to form the criss-cross unit of FIG. 3, and which is formed from a rigidly interconnected pair of identical hinge plate half-sections. FIG. 2 best illustrates the halfsections 11 in position for fixed attachment with one another. Each half-section includes a flat main plate portion 18 formed with vertically spaced projections or flanges 19 at one end thereof, these flanges being reversely rolled to form spaced sleeve portions 20 through which a hinge pintle 17 is slidably received. The spacing between the sleeve portions 20 is such that adjacent ends of adjacent plates become nested with one another to receive a common pintle 17 therethrough as shown in FIG. 1. To bring this about, adjacent hinge plates are inverted relative to one another for pintle interconnection in the known manner.

The main plate portion 18 of each half-section is formed with a plurality of openings 21 which are used to receive fasteners (not shown) to attach a fiexible cover member or the like for suspension of the cover member from the lazytongs series. The main plate portion also includes an oifset area 22 constituting a reinforcing rib to impart added strength to the hinge plate section.

The opposite end of the main plate portion 18 has integrally formed therewith a projecting attachment plate portion 23 which is of substantial area and, in the form illustrated, is of reduced Width as compared with the main plate portion. The attachment plate portion 23 projects substantially outwardly beyond the adjacent end of the main plate portion 18 and is raised relative thereto by reason of the adjacent end of the main plate portion being provided with an upsweep area defined by the upwardly inclined side marginal portions 24. Each attachment plate portion for purposes of description may be defined as including four sections 25, 26, 27, and 28. The section 25 is angularly directed off to one side relative to the main plate portion 18 and joins the section 26 which is of generally arcuate shape. The section 26 defines in the attachment plate portion a transverse, generally semi-circular groove-like enlargement forming one half of a sleeve portion adapted to receive a hinge pin 13 therethrough. The section 27 extends beyond the groovelike section 26 in the same general direction as the section 25 and terminates in the end section 28 which is angled to assume the original direction of the main plate portion 18. Thus the section 28 is generally parallel to the main plate portion 18 but is radially offset to one side thereof. This general configuration is clearly illustrated in FIG. 5.

A pair of hinge plate half-sections 11 of the type described are shown positioned relative to one another in FIG. 2 in preparation for attachment thereof to form a full hinge plate. The attachment plate portions 23 are arranged in substantially overlapping relation aligning the sections 28 thereof with the end marginal areas of the respective main plate portions 18. This alignment provides for complementary positioning of the groove-like sections 26 to form therebetween a continuous hinge pin receiving sleeve portion when the half-sections 11 are interconnected. This positioning also places the sections 25 and 27 of the respective half plates 11 in juxtaposed relation for face-to-face engagement throughout substantially the entire areas thereof. In this respect it Will be noted that the section 25 of one half-section 11 is arranged to be attached to the section 27 of the other half-section 11 and for this purpose the sections 25 and 27 are of substantially the same dimensions. The broken lines in FIG. 2 illustrate the final positioning of the attachment plate portions 23 of the respective hinge plate half-sections 11 once the same are interconnected.

FIGS. 4 and illustrate final interconnection of the hinge plate half-sections 11 and the relative positioning of the cooperating attachment plate portions 23 thereof. In the preferred form of the invention, the overlying and engaging sections of the combined attachment plate portions are fixedly secured to one another in tight, mutually reinforcing engagement throughout at least substantially the entire overlying areas thereof. In the form illustrated, attachment is accomplished by the use of a plurality of spaced spot welds 29. As illustrated, the welds are located in pairs on each of the sections 25, 27 and 28 of the attachment plate portions 23, the welds also being located adjacent side margins of these sections. The full hinge plates 1t shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are then combined in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3 to form a full hinge plate unit including a hing pin 13 and suitable lock washer 30 or the like.

It will be appreciated that each of the full hinge plates of the unit of FIG. 3 is of identical design. By reason of the offsetting of the attachment plate portions 23, a pair of full hinge plates 10 may be interconnected in criss-crossing nested relation by merely inverting one of the hinge plates relative to the other. Each hinge plate unit is of compact arrangement and each full hinge plate 10 thereof is of improved strength and rigidity. By reason of the substantial face-to-face contact between cooperating attachment plate portions, the hinge plate half-sections 11 mutually reinforce one another. In this respect the tight mutually reinforcing engagement between the cooperating attachment plate portions extends substantially beyond the hinge pin sleeve receiving portion to each side thereof. The main plate portions 18 are strengthened as a result of this arrangement and the hinge plate half-sections 11 are very easily and readily assembled.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modification of hinge plate design forming a part of the invention. The hinge plate halfsection 31 includes a main plate portion 32 of similar configuration and shape as the portion 18 previously described. Basically, the portion 32 includes the spaced sleeve portions 33 at one end thereof to receive a pintle 17 therethrough. A reinforcing rib 34 is also formed in the main plate portion 32. The opposite end of the plate portion 32 is formed with a projecting attachment plate portion 35 which extends at an angle therefrom and is formed from interconnected sections 36, 37, 38 and 39. These sections are arranged relative to one another and to the main plate portion 32 in the same manner as the sections 25 through 28 previously described. Complementary sections 37 define a hinge pin receiving sleeve when a pair of hinge plate half-sections 31 are interconnected.

The section 39 along opposite margins thereof is formed with a pair of right angled locking ears 40 adjacent the outer end thereof. These ears each project to the same side of the section 39. The main plate portion 31 just inwardly of the section 36 is formed with a pair of spaced locking slots 41 which are located substantially inwardly from the edge margins of the main plate portion.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the interconnection of a pair of modified hinge plate half-sections 31. In the same manner and to the same extent as the attachment plate portions of the half-sections 11 previously described overlie and engage one another, the attachment plate portions 3 5 of the half-sections 31 mutually engage and reinforce one another. The locking ears 40 of each half-section 31 are snugly received through the locking slots 41 of the other half-section and are tightly crimped over the outer exposed surface of the main body portion of the attached half-section. FIG. 8 best illustrates the tight, mutually reinforcing engagement of the surfaces of the combined attachment plate portions.

With the arrangements described, hinge plates of improved strength and capable of efliciently supporting greater loads can be readily formed without losing the advantages of single half plate production. There is no substantial increase in the amount of material used in forming a full hinge plate and the half-sections used are readily interconnected. Tlhe substantial overlying engagement of the attachment plate portions provides increased resistance to bending or flexing under substantial loads in the areas of reduced width.

Obviously certain modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an expansible and collapsible closure structure including separate lazytongs series of pivotally interconnected hinge plates, which plates criss-cross in cooperatively paired relation and are centrally commonly connected by hinge pins, the improvement comprising each plate being formed from paired identical half-sections with each half-section including a projecting attachment portion of substantial area provided in inwardly spaced relation to its end with a transversely continuous generally semi-oircular groove-like enlargement, paired halfsections being attached to each other with their projecting attachment portions arranged in over-lying face-tofaee engagement through at least substantial areas thereof and with their respective enlargements in complementary relation to each other to cooperatively define a hinge pin receiving sleeve portion, and attachment means fixing said attachment portions in tight mutually reinforcing face-to-face engagement throughout at least substantial areas thereof, which areas extend substantially beyond said sleeve portion to each side thereof, said attachment means being located throughout said attachment portions to both sides of said enlargements to provide a plurality of distributed areas of fixedly interconnected engagement between said attachment portions to establish and maintain mutual reinforcement throughout.

2. The hinge plate of'claim 1 wherein the attachment means fixing said attachment portions include a plurality of spaced Welds distributed throughout the areas thereof.

3. The hinge plate of claim 1 wherein said attachment portion of each half-section is provided with a plurality of integrally formed and transversely spaced locking ears received through slots formed in the paired half-section attached thereto and spaced substantially inwardly from said sleeve portion, said locking ears being tightly crimped over the outer exposed surface of the attached half-section.

4. The hinge plate of claim 1 wherein said attachment portion of each half-section along top and bottom margins thereof closely adjacent the outer end thereof is provided with integrally formed locking ears received through slots formed in the paired half-section attached thereto and said locking ears being tightly crimped over the outer exposed surface of the attached half-section.

5. In an expansible and collapsible closure structure including separate lazytongs series of pivotally interconnected hinge plates, which plates criss-cross in cooperatively paired relation and are centrally commonly connected by hinge pins, the improvement comprising each plate being formed from paired identical half-sections with each half-section including a main plate portion and a projecting attachment portion of reduced width and rovided with a transverse generally semi-circular grooveliize enlargement, said attachment portion having a plurality of flat angularly related sections located beyond said groove-lilac enlargement to each side thereof, paired half-sections being attached to each other with their projecting attachment portions including the flat sections thereof arranged in overlying mutually reinforcing faceto-face engagement throughout at least substantial areas thereof and with their respective groove-like enlargements in complementary relation to each other to cooperatively define a transverse hinge pin receiving sleeve portion, said main plate portions being located in offset paralleling spaced substantially inwardly from said sleeve portion,

relation, and a plurality of spaced attachment means in said flat sections and fixing said attachment portions in tight mutually reinforcing engagement throughout at least substantially the entire overlying areas thereof, which areas extend substantially beyond said sleeve portion to each side thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 14603157 Watkins Ian. 25, 1949 2,732,894 Harri-s Jan. 31, 1956 2,860,698 Harris Nov. 18, 1958 

1. IN AN EXPANSIBLE AND COLLAPSIBLE CLOSURE STRUCTURE INCLUDING SEPARATE LAZYTONGS SERIES OF PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED HINGE PLATES, WHICH PLATES CRISS-CROSS IN COOPERATIVELY PAIRED RELATION AND ARE CENTRALLY COMMONLY CONNECTED BY HINGE PINS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING EACH PLATE BEING FORMED FROM PAIRED IDENTICAL HALF-SECTIONS WITH EACH HALF-SECTION INCLUDING A PROJECTING ATTACHMENT PORTION OF SUBSTANTIAL AREA PROVIDED IN INWARDLY SPACED RELATION TO ITS END WITH A TRANSVERSELY CONTINUOUS GENERALLY SEMI-CIRCULAR GROOVE-LIKE ENLARGEMENT, PAIRED HALFSECTIONS BEING ATTACHED TO EACH OTHER WITH THEIR PROJECTING ATTACHMENT PORTIONS ARRANGED IN OVERLYING FACE-TOFACE ENGAGEMENT THROUGH AT LEAST SUBSTANTIAL AREAS THEREOF AND WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE ENLARGEMENTS IN COMPLEMENTARY RELATION TO EACH OTHER TO COOPERATIVELY DEFINE A HINGE PIN RECEIVING SLEEVE PORTION, AND ATTACHMENT MEANS FIXING SAID ATTACHMENT PORTIONS IN TIGHT MUTUALLY REINFORCING FACE-TO-FACE ENGAGEMENT THROUGHOUT AT LEAST SUBSTANTIAL AREAS THEREOF, WHICH AREAS EXTEND SUBSTANTIALLY BEYOND SAID SLEEVE PORTION TO EACH SIDE THEREOF, SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS BEING LOCATED THROUGHOUT SAID ATTACHMENT PORTIONS TO BOTH SIDES OF SAID ENLARGEMENTS TO PROVIDE A PLURALITY OF DISTRIBUTED AREAS OF FIXEDLY INTERCONNECTED ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID ATTACHMENT PORTIONS TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN MUTUAL REINFORCEMENT THROUGHTOUT. 